Farhan Zaidi downplayed idea of SF Giants making further notable additions

Are the SF Giants done making moves after signing Jorge Soler to a three-year deal? According to Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic, team president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi downplayed the idea of further additions, but left the door slightly ajar.

Farhan Zaidi downplayed idea of SF Giants making further notable additions

Zaidi indicated that they will not rule anything out, but with spring training underway, it is becoming increasingly unlikely that they make another move. This is especially true when it comes to pitchers. Teams would prefer to have pitchers in camp at the start of spring training, but that deadline has already come and gone.

Of course, free-agent pitchers still work independently to prepare for the start of the season. It is a slightly different story for position players as they can usually get ready for the regular season within a couple of weeks.

The Giants have had a busy offseason. There is no denying that. They have added Jung Hoo Lee, Tom Murphy, Robbie Ray, Jordan Hicks, and Soler. The addition of Lee should bolster the team's outfield defense, and Murphy along with Soler should improve the lineup for a team that struggled to the tune of a .695 OPS in 2023.

Ray and Hicks offer upside and intrigue. However, no one knows how Hicks will adapt to the starting rotation. And, Ray is coming off of Tommy John surgery. He was recently transferred to the 60-day injured list, so he will miss the first two months of the season at a minimum. Plus, pitchers coming off of Tommy John surgery do not always reach their pre-surgery form right away. It usually takes time.

While the Giants have been active this offseason, have they done enough to improve from the 79-win team last year? That is up for debate. It bears repeating that the starting rotation is relying on inexperience.

Logan Webb is slated to anchor the rotation. Hicks is penciled into the rotation as well along with Kyle Harrison, Keaton Winn, and Tristan Beck. Harrison, Winn, and Beck are all unproven at the major league level, whereas Hicks is unproven as a starter. It could work out, but this will be one of the Giants' more inexperienced rotations in recent years.

They hope that the unproven options can help bridge the gap for when Ray and Alex Cobb return to the mound. This is undeniably a risk because no one knows what position the team will be in once they do return.

On the other hand, the Giants have not done much to improve the bullpen. The bullpen has some core pieces, but it was not a strength last year and betting on continuity when it comes to relievers is a gamble.

So, the Giants could be done making moves this offseason. Zaidi poured cold water on the idea of making another move as many teams have done in recent days. Regardless, there are several free agents remaining and many of them would instantly bolster the Giants roster. It is possible that Zaidi does not want to show his hand. There is an element of gamesmanship when it comes to free agents. There is no way to know for certain, but that is one way to interpret Zaidi's comments.